Krist & Singto in The Practice Boyfriends (Completed)

The Practice Boyfriends: Chapter 11

The choking sound alerts them to Gunsmile's mother, who is hovering over them with a delighted look on her face, "My boys!" She cries, "Together at last!"

They exchange a confused look and then wai politely to her, "Hello, Mae."

"I always knew this day would come, my Gunsmile said no, no! But I knew, A mother always does! Free dessert for you today!"

"Mae? What do you mean?" Singto asks gently, looking from her to Krist.

"Free dessert to celebrate your relationship! I heard you say you woke up together, my lovely boys." She winks at them and then taps the side of her nose, "But I can keep it a secret for you, if you'd like?"

Quickly Krist widens his eyes and nods significantly, and Singto remembers that Gunsmile is in the chat group and has been quite vocal about how unlikely they are to get together. In fact, he had bet a substantial sum that after Singto's birthday that would be the end of it.

"No, No, Mae." Singto says immediately, "It's okay, we're not embarrassed that we're together. You don't have to keep anything a secret. We'll tell Gunsmile ourselves when we next see him."

She's smiling in delight as she leaves the table, and Singto and Krist laugh together, Singto quickly texting Nam to give her an update.

"What's next then?" Singto asks once they are alone.

Krist grins, "What would you do at this point?"

"Well, I'd ask them some questions about themselves, of course.. but.. I know you, so that's kind of a useless exercise isn't it?"

Krist's smile widens further, "Not necessarily. I mean, if it was the second date, you'd already know something about them.."

Singto looks away, "I haven't exactly.."

He tails off and Krist reaches out to catch his hand in his own, "Had a second date?"

Singto squeezes his fingers lightly, "Not one that counted, I don't think. Maybe just because I was famous?"

"Oh, Singto! That can't be true."

"Maybe."

"Well, here's what we can do.. let's just talk and see where the conversation goes..."

"..and, if this was a date.. would you keep holding my hand?"

Krist ducks his head, "I might."

"Then.. do that."

Singto's smile is so wide, Krist feels like he needs sunglasses as he glances up at him, "Okay," he says, feeling suddenly shy.

X

They're chattering away about mutual friends and group projects, fingers still lightly linked over the table, when their food arrives.

The server is new to them, someone they haven't seen before, and she smiles shyly at them as she drops the plates of food on the table. But when she walks away, Krist hears a distinctive click of a camera and he knows she must be a fan.

"Should I ask her not to post that?" Singto asks, letting go of Krist's hand to reach for his fork.

"What do you think?"

"I think.." he leans in and Krist mirrors his position too, "That our fans have seen us like this before, right? So.. it doesn't matter.. one more compromising picture."

Singto nods and then starts to scoop noodles onto their two plates, making sure to take all the vegetables from Krist's half. "What's one more picture?" He agrees.